The harbour is still really producing the goods, despite the blasting cold easterly wind that had set in by the end of the day. Without doubt the best find was a chance encounter between two species that are unlikely to have met too many times before within the harbour, when a Purple Sandpiper joined the Snow Bunting on Hamworthy beach this afternoon. Purple Sandpiper records within the harbour are incredibly unusual, although do occur. The maximum count is 11 in Feb 2008, Nov 2009, Jan 2010 and Jan 2011 all in and around north Haven, Sandbanks. However, interesting past inner-harbour records include 7 at Poole Quay on 8th Jan 1983, 8 at Arne on 8th Nov 1984, 3 at Hamworthy Beach on 17th Mar 1996 and after high winds, one walking along the road towards Swan Lake in Poole Park on 18th Jan 1987!!!

Elsewhere at least 1 Black-throated Diver was still in Parkstone Bay, Baiter, the Long-tailed Duck, 2 Slavoniain Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Great Northern Diver were all off Jerry’s Point and a Red-throated Diver flew into the harbour late this afternoon. The Barnacle Goose was still on the Stilt Pools at Swineham, 3 Great Northern Diver and 2 Black-necked Grebe were off Middle Beach. Both White-tailed Eagles were in the Wareham Channel this morning

Purple Sandpiper and Snow Bunting – Hamworthy Beach – Clive Hargrave

Turnstones and Purple Sandpiper  – Hamworthy Beach – Clive Hargrave